Millions are infected with the poison ivy malaise every spring or summer. The plant is very harmful and poisonous to the human skin, causing a condition that can result in inflammation, blisters, lesions and even fever. Since prevention is better than cure, it is better to avoid contact with the poison ivy plant and thereby reduce the imminent danger of a poison ivy dermatitis outbreak. This article will offer tips on how to treat/cure poison ivy infection with lye soap and the steps to follow to alleviate the itching caused by the malaise.

Poison Ivy – How poisonous it is? Poison Ivy is not going to cause you any fatal conditions. But it will surely give you a tough time of itching, scraping and skin allergy. The allergic agent in the plant is called Urushiol Oil which is nothing but a collection of oleoresins. Direct contact with the plant, or allergen contact through air, or exposure to burnt poison ivy smoke can cause infection, leading to poison ivy dermatitis with blisters, sores, lesions. The Urushiol Oil has the potential to contaminate everything from footwear, clothes, tools, pets etc. and this contamination can stay up to a year, if not properly washed away. The below tips will help you decide on how poison ivy can be cured with lye soap and other creams.

1. Wear protective covering: If you suspect that a region has poison ivy plants, do not go there without protective wear – wear long sleeved dress, long pants tucked inside high boots and if possible, gloves and face or head cover. The other exposed body parts can be cured by applying a protective deodorant with an additive that prevents the ivy oil from entering the skin.

2. Wash with lye soap: Poison Ivy infection can take even up to one week to show symptoms of infection. To avoid trouble, always wash your body with natural, no-additive lye soap soon after you suspect or smell a possible infection. If red rashes or spots start to develop, wash off poison ivy oil with nothing more than lye soap and water within fifteen minutes of exposure. Lye soap is a great cure for such infective allergens and it is said to treat even psoriasis and eczema.

3. Wash with lye detergent: Sometimes the ivy oil could have infected your clothing, footwear and other objects too. If possible, you can wash them all with lye detergents. But ensure that you do not use too much of detergent to spoil the things. After washing, clean your hands and body parts again with natural lye soap.
4. Topical cream: If you have not washed properly with lye, you may develop infection, which may result in insect bites-like bumps on the skin. When you sense such a thing, apply a good cortisone topical cream on the skin to reduce the effect of the impending inflammation. Apply the cream and allow it to dry. Never use bandages or close coverings. Hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion may also help.
5. Oral medication: The last respite is oral medication. Oral antihistamines are very helpful in reducing the itch. If you do not treat poison ivy or continue scratching the skin, you may develop secondary bacterial infection due to breaks in the skin. This may force you to take up oral antibiotics. Cool showers, warm baths etc may help reduce the inflammation. Best of all, is a bath with lye soap.